Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has commenced a crucial multi-nation tour to promote India’s economic narrative on the global stage. Spanning from Spain and Portugal to Brazil, the visit aims to engage with top global finance leaders, investors, and multilateral institutions at a time when India’s growth trajectory is drawing worldwide attention.
Her visit began in Seville, Spain, where she is leading the Indian delegation from the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance. The first stop includes attending the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), organized by the United Nations. She will deliver a formal address on behalf of India, reflecting the nation’s perspective on global development financing.
Apart from the main event, Sitharaman is also set to deliver a keynote speech at the International Business Forum Leadership Summit. The summit, themed “From FFD4 Outcome to Implementation: Unlocking the Potential of Private Capital for Sustainable Development,” is expected to highlight India’s model of mobilizing private and public capital for sustainable growth.
On the sidelines of the Spain leg, she will engage in bilateral discussions with ministers and senior officials from Germany, Peru, and New Zealand. Notably, a meeting is scheduled with Nadia Calvino, President of the European Investment Bank, emphasizing the importance of long-term partnerships in global investment and infrastructure development.
In Lisbon, Portugal, the Finance Minister will meet with her Portuguese counterpart Joaquim Miranda Sarmento. She will also interact with prominent investors and address members of the Indian diaspora, strengthening India’s economic outreach and fostering investor confidence in Indian markets.
The final leg of her visit takes her to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she will participate in the 10th Annual Meeting of the New Development Bank (NDB) as India's Governor. This platform will also host the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, reaffirming India's role in shaping the financial architecture of the Global South.
During the NDB Flagship Governors' Seminar, Sitharaman will speak on the theme “Building a Premier Multilateral Development Bank for the Global South,” aligning with India’s long-standing commitment to inclusive and sustainable global development. On the sidelines, she is scheduled for key bilateral engagements with finance ministers from Brazil, China, Indonesia, and Russia.
This diplomatic and economic tour comes at a pivotal moment. According to a recent report by S and P Global Ratings, India is projected to grow at a robust rate of 6.5 percent in FY26. The report attributes this growth to strong domestic demand, expected normal monsoon conditions, anticipated income-tax concessions, and potential monetary policy easing. India’s relative insulation from global goods export slowdowns further enhances its resilience in the Asia-Pacific region.
Finance Minister Sitharaman’s visit is more than symbolic. It is a calculated move to position India as a global investment destination, a voice of the developing world, and a key participant in global financial reform. With growing confidence in India’s economy and governance, this tour is likely to strengthen both bilateral and multilateral economic ties.
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